I wish Jesus was like magic. Magic is quick and easy. You present a problem and then before your very eyes the problem is solved. All it takes is a few magic words. Oh and a wand. Oh and a cape. Oh and a top hat. All it takes is a few supplies and voila magic happens. Okay, it’s not quite that easy. I once had to pay $59.99 in order to figure out how a magic trick worked. I saw a card float and then the magician said for just $59.99 you could learn how to make a card float. I’m a sucker. I said I’d use it become a great magician. I never became a magician. Maybe it’s because I don’t own the wand, cape, or top hat?
Magic is so great we name things after it. Magic Bullet. Magic Eraser. Magic Johnson. Magic is great…except for the fact that it’s fake. Magic is an illusion. A slight of hand. It’s entertaining, but it’s not real. It would be nice if Jesus would just wave his hand over our problems and POOF they’d be gone. But that’s not the way that Jesus works. In fact the Bible paints a very different picture of what a relationship with God is like…
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Today I have the privilege of guest posting over at The Skipping Stone. Not only does the author have an amazing name, Rob, he also has a great blog. I’m not sure what caused him to start checking out my site but I’m glad he did. Not only did it introduce me to his blog but he is also a great comment leaver. Please forgive him in advance for being a Celtics fan. Check out the rest of the guest post here.
Nice thoughts today Rob. I wish “presto” worked, but it doesn’t. I wish prayer was automatic, but it feels more like playing a lottery at times (and how often do you win the lottery?). At times I get so tired of trying to live for God as it seems like such a one way street. But then, when I am at the bottom, he finds a way of showing himself. That strengthens me for a time, before the world takes over my thoughts and the cycle repeats itself. I have a long way to go to be a “mature” follower, but the pain of teething is necessary before baby can eat solid food.
Love that analogy! Thanks Daniel.
While I too love instant gratification, quick answers to prayer, and fast food, I have found that what I work for, I value. Things that happen instantly are good, but more likely to be forgotten.
Very true. Thanks for the comment.
At first I thought you were comparing Jesus to Magic Johnson and HAD to see how you were going to do that…I have a new blog post request…Compare Jesus to Magic Johnson please 🙂
But in all seriousness, this is part of God’s sovereignty that I don’t understand all the time. Praise Him for the things we learn through patience though!!
Comparing Jesus to Magic Johnson. Interesting. I’ll have to ponder that one. Thanks for the comment.
Great post, Rob. Unfortunately too many people expect Jesus to work like magic. They want the flash, they want the miracles, they want to “oooooh” and “aaaaaaah” but they don’t want discipleship.
Thanks Seth. I’m with ya. I’m glad that you left a comment. Aren’t you at Northside?
Heading over now!
Thanks Dustin. You are the man!
Great post Rob. Next time you need to do a comparison between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
I don’t think you’d like my comparison. I’m a HUGE Magic fan. Thanks for asking me to guest post. It was fun.
you could’ve bought so many packs of dunkaroos for 59.99.
I know. I’m a fool.
All I could think about was GOB’s magic from Arrested Development.
Great thoughts, nonetheless.
I need to watch that show. I don’t have a fat clue what you are talking about. I’ve heard that’s a great show.
$59.99 is an awful lot for a black thread.
Oh but it wasn’t black thread. I’ll tell you how it works for $59.99.
Nice comparison. Only if it were that easy right! It is so great to know though that in a blink of the eye, our eternal destiny can be changed!
I wish it were that easy. A lot can happen in a blink. Thanks for the comment.
Good point. I think, like you and some other people said, if Jesus was like magic it would be too easy for us to not actually get involved and trust/seek. It sure would be nice every once in awhile though…
I agree. I’d love it if He was from time to time.